“Most professions can be linked to vocational training and the technical qualifications gained at trade schools can be an important starting point for those wanting to progress to university,” Mr Kelly says.

“At St Pat’s, we are all about the work links that students get with industry and employers. We’re also all about partnerships – we have partnerships with TAFE but we have partnerships with university as well.”

Australian Industry Trade College chief executive Mark Hands says university is a popular pathway for many trade school graduates once they have completed their apprenticeship. It is either to move into management or supervisor positions or to qualify in their industry at a higher level – for example, an electrician who wants to progress to an electrical engineer.

“If someone has completed a trade, there are a number of options available to enter a university course,” Mr Hands says.

He says while students enrolling at AITC do not study subjects that provide them with an OP for university entrance, they can choose to enrol at university as a mature-age student to undertake bridging courses to help meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree.” ”